by Mariano, Sam
“Oh, my God, try these. They’re so pretty,” she says, handing me a pair of black mules with an asymmetrical strap.
“Um, I’m no style expert, admittedly, but… these are black.”
She blinks at me. “What’s wrong with black?”
“Well, nothing. It’s just that my dress is gold. Wouldn’t this clash?”
Sudden comprehension lands, but she waves me off. “Oh, honey, these aren’t for homecoming. These are for New York. Carter said you need some new things for the trip. These don’t look super comfortable, but if you’re not used to walking in heels, here’s a tip. Wear comfortable shoes for walking if you won’t be talking a cab, but bring a big purse. Put your heels in your purse, then change into them right before you get to wherever it is you’re going. Saves your feet, but you still get to wear the pretty shoes.” Waving her hand at the shoes, as if to urge them closer, she says, “Go ahead, try them on.”
I push back the thin white tissue around the shoe and pull it out of the box, eyeing up the heel. “These look high.”
“They are, hence the advice. They’re so cute though, imagine all the outfits they would go with.”
While I wrestle with this heel, she goes back to the shoes to browse some more. I no more than get this one on the ground and she comes over with a big smile and another pair of heels.
“These,” she enthuses, holding them out like an offering. “I don’t even care if these are uncomfortable, we’re buying these. Try them on anyway,” she orders.
These shoes are much bolder than I would wear. A black base with fire engine red pointy toes, I can see them on her, but I think they might be a little much for me. “I don’t know where I would wear these,” I tell her.
“I do,” she says, firmly. “You’re getting them. They’re perfect for something Carter has planned for you that I can’t tell you about. Just trust me. Those shoes say all the right things. You’ll thank me later.” Already onto the next thing, she murmurs, “Now to find you an outfit,” and wanders off, presumably to find an outfit.
We end up leaving with 3 pairs of shoes for New York and a pair of apparently boring nude strappy sandals that I picked out myself. Once Caroline got distracted buying my wardrobe for New York, she completely forgot about the homecoming shoes and left me to fend for myself. I was more interested in the comfort of the shoes I would be dancing in all night—especially since my gown is floor-length, and no one will even see the damn things—than the look of them, so I picked out a pair of basic-looking shoes that didn’t kill my feet when I walked around in them.
Meanwhile, Caroline picked out some dressy-casual clothes, a long belted coat for the cold weather, and a big white handbag to smuggle my pretty shoes in for the 90% of the time when I prefer comfort over elegance. It’s definitely someone else’s wardrobe, but someone who dresses very fashionably, so I can’t complain. It’s crazy to think about going to New York, and even crazier that I haven’t even asked my mom if I could go yet. It was one of those pipe dreams that didn’t seem like it would ever happen, but now that I have a wardrobe for the trip, I decide it’s probably time to ask.
She has been permissive about letting me stay the night with him, but I don’t know how she’ll feel about a whole weekend 1,500 miles away.
It’s slow cooker BBQ sandwiches for dinner tonight so there’s not much help needed, but that’s my in to start a conversation, so I make my way into the kitchen when she’s taking the lid off the Crock-Pot and stirring the meat inside.
“Need help with anything?” I ask her.
Glancing curiously over her shoulder, she says, “Not really. I suppose you can take the macaroni salad out of the refrigerator, if you want to.”
“On it,” I say, heading to the refrigerator. I grab the bowl, pop the lid off, and tell her, “Mm, looks delicious.”
“Oh God,” she says, putting the lid back on and spinning around to face me, her eyes wide. “It’s true. You are pregnant.”
I frown back at her as I put the bowl down on the counter. “What? No, I’m not. I was just saying the macaroni salad looks good. Am I not allowed to compliment your cooking for no reason?”
“How far along are you? Have you told Carter yet? It is Carter’s, right?”
Rolling my eyes, I open a drawer and grab a serving spoon. “Mom, I’m not pregnant.”
“Everyone is sayin’ you are. I couldn’t believe you wouldn’t tell me first, but—”
“Mom,” I interrupt, shooting her a look. “Relax.”
“I’m not mad if you’re pregnant, you just need to tell me. It’s not the end of the world. Carter certainly has the means—”
“If I hear one more word about Carter’s financial means, I’m going to scream, I swear to God. Can’t anyone in this town see past his money?”
Frowning, Mom asks, “Well, if you’re not pregnant, what’s wrong, then?”
“Nothing is wrong, I just had something I needed to ask you.” I don’t know why I feel so awkward asking her about college. Maybe it’s because she never went and she seems a little defensive about it, maybe it’s because I know she thinks of college as something that’s not that important, while for me it’s a crucial life goal. Whatever the reason, I would actually rather tell her I’m going to be a teen mom than talk to her about college.
“All right,” she says tentatively, watching me. “What is it?”
“Okay, so, you know how college visits are coming up, and students will be visiting the colleges they’re hoping to attend?”
Grabbing a hand towel off the sink and absently wringing it, she murmurs, “You said something about that. We can’t afford to take some vacation to look at some fancy college out of state, if that’s what you’re thinkin’ about.”
“I’m not. Well, sort of. It’s not really my college visit.” I’m getting nervous and tripping over my words, so I focus and blurt. “Carter is going to Columbia next fall. He’s already in, they’re giving him some football scholarship.”
“Where’s that?”
I blink, momentarily taken off-guard by that question. “Columbia? It’s… in New York City. I guess Carter is from there. Anyway, he’s going there for school and his dad bought him an apartment near campus. After the state championships, he has to fly out there to visit the campus and sign some papers on the apartment. He wanted to take me with him and show me around, since he knows I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“Oh, how nice,” she says, instantly warmer.
“We wouldn’t have to pay for anything, Carter even sent me out with his sister to buy me some warmer clothes for the trip. We’ll take a plane Friday after school is out and come back Sunday night, so I won’t miss anything. I might need money for food, but I’ll use my own money for that. Anyway, Carter is really looking forward to it. I figured it wouldn’t be a big deal, but I told him I needed to ask you before he booked the plane tickets.”
“Well, I think that sounds wonderful. How romantic,” she says, flashing me a soft little smile. “New York at Christmastime. Do you think he’ll propose?”
“Do I—?” A bubble of nervous laughter slips out of me. “No, Mom, I don’t think he’ll propose. God, I don’t even think we’ll date past high school.”
Her smile falls. “Why not?”
“Because we’re just starting our adult lives and we won’t even live in the same state.”
“Well, why won’t you? You’ve always wanted to move up north, you’ve always had that idea bouncin’ around your head. If his father bought him an apartment up there and he’s taking you to see it, that sounds to me like he’s hoping you’ll move there with him.”
Sighing, I tell her, “Trust me, I’ve already thought about that, but I can’t. There aren’t any schools in the city that are affordable and offer the programs I’m interested in. None of them are even affordable, but livin’ with Carter would obviously cut down on living expenses, so I thought maybe with a small loan… But at the end of the day, I would have to
sacrifice too much to move to New York with him. My future starts in Pennsylvania and his is in New York. Four years is too long to attempt long distance. It just won’t work.”
“Of course it won’t work if you decide it won’t work,” my mother says, firmly. “It’s a matter of priorities, Zoey. If you’ve got a good man on the hook, I’m not afraid to tell you those don’t come around all that often. You can read your books anywhere, they even have those online classes you can take now. If Carter wants you to move to New York and start a life with him, I think you’d be crazy to turn him down.”
Frustration rolls through me like a slow train about to putter to a stop at the railroad crossing. I can already tell this conversation is going to go south and end up in a clash of personalities, so rather than sit at the tracks and endure the pointless frustration, I steer into the nearest open parking lot and turn around.
Pulling my phone from the pocket of my jeans like it just vibrated, I flash my phone a smile. “Oh, what do you know? That’s him now.” I slide a finger across the screen and glance up at her. “I’m allowed to go to New York for the weekend, right?”
“Yes, of course,” she tells me, glancing anxiously at the phone. “You haven’t told him you won’t move there with him yet, have you?”
“No,” I murmur, opening the message to Carter. Since I have the phone out, I may as well share the news. It goes with my excuse to exit this conversation anyway. “He hasn’t asked, so I haven’t had to.”
“Well, do yourself a favor and don’t tell him no just yet. Think it over, Zoey. Think long and hard. If you love him, maybe the small sacrifice is worth it. He can give you a beautiful life. Chances like this don’t come around a lot in one lifetime.”
Neither does the chance to go to college, I want to tell her, but I don’t want to fight, so I keep my mouth shut and flash her a faint smile. “I’m gonna go upstairs so I can call him.”
“All right. Don’t be too long, dinner’s just about ready.”
Chapter 51
“Honey, Carter’s here!”
I hear Mom calling up the stairs, announcing Carter’s arrival. My tummy flutters with nerves as I spin sideways, watching the swish of my dress.
“Diamonds are forever” is the homecoming theme. I don’t have any diamonds, but I bought a pretty pair of cubic zirconia earrings that glimmer prettily in the light.
My dress glitters in the light. I love this dress so much, I would get married in it. It’s not white, it’s champagne with a glittery gold overlay that sparkles every time I move, but it’s the prettiest dress I’ve ever worn. It was embarrassingly expensive for just a homecoming dress, but Carter was paying, and after all he’s put me through this year, I figured I deserved a gorgeous homecoming dress. I’ll wear it to prom, too, and get a little more value out of it. Hell, I would wear this dress to buy groceries if I wouldn’t get funny looks.
I can’t help smiling at my reflection one more time, spinning so I can watch my gown glitter in the light. I sigh happily, then grab the small purse Caroline picked out to go with my dress. I slide it on my shoulder and walk over to the mirror for one last check.
Caroline booked me an appointment at her salon in the city earlier today, so I look fancier than I ever have. I got a manicure with white French tips, and my blonde hair is pulled half-back and gathered at the crown of my head, long, shiny curls cascading down the back and sides. Caroline had them do my make-up to compliment my gown, too, so that all I had to do when I got home was put on the dress.
I look like a princess. I probably won’t look this good on my wedding day, so I might as well enjoy it.
Carter is waiting for me at the foot of the stairs. He looks incredible in a black tux with gold accent pieces to match my dress. The way he looks at me as I descend the stairs is everything. There’s a gleam of softness in his eyes, a sense of awe that makes my stomach sink and my heart soar.
My foot barely touches the living room floor and Carter is already reaching his hand out to grab my waist and pull me close. I feel his breath on my neck as he leans in to tell me, “You look amazing.”
I want to touch him, too, so I brace one hand on his shoulder and run the other down the length of his gold tie. “So do you.” I lower my voice, since my parents are in the room, and lean in to whisper, “I wore those panties you bought me, but if I’d known you’d look like this, I wouldn’t have bothered.”
Carter chuckles, his hand around my waist tightening ever so slightly. “Don’t worry, I’ll take them off you later.”
“Too late, they already disintegrated,” I tell him, cheekily.
He pulls back to smile at me, then leans in to kiss me, like he can’t quite make up his mind what he wants to do with me. I’m not used to seeing indecision on him, but that alone tells me he really is impressed. I already felt beautiful tonight, but now I’m glowing.
“Oh, don’t you two look so perfect,” my mom croons, walking over to us with her camera. “Let me get a picture of you in front of the stairs.”
Carter turns to her. “Just one second.” Turning back to me, he says, “I know you said you didn’t want a corsage, but I figured I shouldn’t show up empty-handed.” He draws a thin, square box out of his jacket pocket and informs me, “Now, my mom says you can’t have this unless I marry you, but you can borrow it for tonight.”
“This must really be something, if it requires marriage,” I comment.
Carter nods, cracking open the case. “Family jewels. Passed down a couple generations. It’s worth about the cost of a new car, so, you know, don’t take it off anywhere.”
“Whoa, wait, what?” I blink a couple times, then look down at the necklace nestled in velvet in the box. When I do, I can’t stifle a gasp. This is exactly the image that would pop up in my head if someone referred to family jewels. An incredible diamond and gold necklace set in gold sparkles up at me. It belongs on the neck of a queen, not me. It’s incredibly elegant without being too much.
I wish I had the story of the woman who was originally given this necklace. I picture a French courtesan, worshipped by a man in a much higher station. In a scandalous gesture, I picture him handing over his prized family jewels since he can’t offer her marriage, living his life with her, regardless of the rules.
It’s all terribly romantic in my head, and then Carter takes the necklace out of the box, carefully moves my hair over my shoulder, and fastens the elegant necklace around my neck.
I walk over to the large mirror on the wall so I can see how it looks, and it’s absolutely stunning. Carter looking so handsome standing beside me, me wearing his mother’s necklace and this gorgeous dress. We haven’t even left the house, and this night is already perfect.
Gazing at me in the mirror, Carter asks, “Like it?”
I touch the lovely piece, shaking my head. “Love it. I’m afraid you’re gonna have to marry me now.”
Carter chuckles, taking my hand and tugging me back toward the staircase. “Let’s get these pictures taken so I can maul you in the car.”
Carter and I pose in front of the staircase and let my mom take her pictures. Then she tells me she needs to get one of us in front of the door, and then the front porch, and then in front of the limo Carter is picking me up in. I finally cut her off before she tries to climb into the car with us.
I try not to fiddle with the necklace, but I’ve never worn something so expensive, so I feel like I’ll be checking on it all night long. My earrings feel too cheap to wear with something so grand, though, so before we get to the dance, I take them out and put them in my purse.
The dance is held in the ballroom of the nicest hotel in town. Originally, it was going to be held at the high school, but the senior class made a big push for the hotel instead. The darkened ballroom is decked out with colored lights and strings of faux diamonds hanging like waterfalls around the room. Tables are set up around the room with black and white linens, a handful of fake plastic diamonds sprinkled across the center of each t
able. A lot of girls are wearing shorter dresses, but I expected as much. Grace got a long gown like I did, but Kasey’s red dress barely hits mid-thigh.
I don’t really care what anyone else is wearing. I feel like I’m in my own little world with Carter, and I like it that way. Of course, our own little world gets immediately more populated when we get to the dance. Carter gravitates to the table where his friends have set up camp. The music is playing already, but no one is dancing yet. The way our school does things is sort of like a wedding—no one dances until the king and queen have had their first dance, then the floor opens up to everyone else.
“Everyone bow, the king has arrived,” Sutton announces, bowing sarcastically as Carter approaches.
“Damn right,” Carter says, his hand still at my hip.
“Damn, Ellis, you brought it tonight,” Cartwright says, openly checking me out.
“I love your dress,” Brianna tells me, flashing me a bright smile. She went with a short one that boldly flouts the “no excessive cleavage” rule of the homecoming dress code. My dress is strapless and I have some cleavage over here too, but the necklace is such an attention-stealer, I hardly expect anyone to notice my breasts. When Brianna’s eyes land on it, her eyes widen. “Holy shit, is that real?”
I nod, absently touching it again as she comes over to peer at the pearls hanging from the necklace.
“This is, like, royal wedding jewelry right here,” she informs me.
“Isn’t it? Carter’s mom let me borrow it for the night.”
She fusses over my dress, hair, and necklace for a minute while Carter visits with the guys. We got here a few minutes early, but they wait for the people who got here a few minutes late to wander in before the principal takes the stage and starts yammering about what a wonderful start we’ve had to the school year and the football season.